2019 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2019 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a "Good" verdict relative to other Escape years. It has 587 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with Engine issues making up 66% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 587
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 24
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 28
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 28 / 0
Top 2019 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine386 (66%)
- Transmission & Powertrain125 (21%)
- Electrical System46 (8%)
- Other43 (7%)
- Fuel System24 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (4%)
- Steering16 (3%)
- Structure & Body13 (2%)
- Airbags11 (2%)
- Brakes10 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags sometimes failed to deploy during head-on or side-impact crashes, contributing to facial, chest, or bruising injuries.
- Some owners describe unexpected forward acceleration or surging at low speeds, in one case crashing into a utility pole with under 1,000 miles on the odometer.
- Transmission complaints include loud abnormal noises when shifting into reverse and vehicles that inadvertently accelerated or rolled away after being placed in park.
- Hill assist activated on its own for one owner while driving 35 mph, applying the brakes and causing a steering wheel to seize before a crash.
- A driver-side airbag reportedly caught fire on deployment during a side-swipe collision while the vehicle was stopped at a light.
2019 Ford Escape recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V011000Jan 15, 2026Other116,672 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:engine block heater
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, and 2015-2016 MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 6, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
- NHTSA 21V155000Mar 10, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires15,769 vehicles
Tires
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S10.
2019 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Ford Escape a good year?
- Yes, relative to other Escape model years. It has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th worst out of 21 years tracked, earning a "Good" verdict compared to Avoid years like 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020.
- What are the most common problems on the 2019 Ford Escape?
- Engine issues account for 66% of complaints (386 complaints, median mileage 71,000), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 21% (125 complaints, median mileage 64,460).
- Does the 2019 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Escape: an engine block heater coolant leak issue, a transmission shifter cable bushing recall, and a Continental tire curing defect recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 Escape compare to the 2017 and 2020 Escape?
- The 2019 Escape has a complaint index of 40, much lower than the 2017 Escape's index of 100 and the 2020 Escape's index of 95, both of which carry Avoid verdicts.
- How many complaints and crashes are linked to the 2019 Ford Escape?
- NHTSA lists 587 complaints for the 2019 Escape, including 24 crashes, 3 fires, and 28 injuries, with no reported deaths.